Laptop Recommendations

UPDATE:

I just purchased the Dell XPS 13 Gold Edition. It was on sale for about $1350 but with a protection plan and tax it was about $1,600.

Just so everyone knows, I saved up for this laptop for about half a year, and if you put your mind to it, you can do it too! (Unless you don't have a job or your bills are more expensive than mine or something idk)

Once it comes in I'll let you guys know how I like it.

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So, I'm going to college in the fall and long story short, I need a laptop.

I've been looking into the Dell XPS 13 and Dell XPS 15

I want a newly released laptop but I don't really want to spend more than $1000 on it (I'm fine with buying it used)

I am going to be a computer science and linguistics major so I need a laptop with high performance so I can develop and one with a good keyboard and other specs so I can write and research.

I'm sure a lot of other people are looking for a laptop, too, so feel free to use this topic to ask for help too idc

Re: Laptop Recommendations

I got a used 128GB SP3 for around $700, I think, with accessories, and it's worked out pretty well for me so far. If you're not into that whole form factor, the XPS 13 would certainly do you well. It's a very sexy machine and I'd certainly buy one if I had the money.

For more general advice, I think a smaller laptop would do you better for things like taking notes or reading lecture slides during lecture. My laptop is only 12" and I've honestly never had a problem with size. For me, the portability/ease of use that comes with the smaller size is more important than having a bigger screen to be able to "do more," if you buy into that.

For your purposes specifically, I'd just focus on getting something with an i5 (or m5, like the newer ultrabooks are coming with). You probably won't need hyperthreading for compilation.

Re: Laptop Recommendations

I would suggest strictly sticking with brands that don't have crappy manufacturing.This means both of the previous suggestions, Dell and Acer (of which I've both owned multiple $500-range laptops in the past of) should be discarded for their poor quality.

Personally, I've had the best results with HP laptops - the only downside is that HP laptops (including the $1500 one I'm using atm) have batteries that tend to fail.However, having to replace a battery is much better than dealing with hinges breaking in some of the previously named brands.

Re: Laptop Recommendations

Do you want your laptop replace your PC entirely?

Edit: Also, I strongly recommend you not to buy an Acer. I bought one some 5 years ago, after 2 years the motherboard simply died. For the reparations I paid half the money which I spend on it in first place. Luckily one of the PC Clinics were able to use a machine which literary operated it at a sensibility of millimetres. (I heard that Toshiba's tend to have the same problem)I never tried a Dell but I heard they usually use very cheap components.Currently I have a HP which actually does his job extremely well. (one of my friends thought had a problem with the battery)

Re: Laptop Recommendations

You shouldn't be looking for a laptop that has a certain brand name. No matter what, any computer will do you good(of course with the right specs) if you take care of it.

I suggest(since you're going into computer science) that you get a laptop with ATLEAST 6gb of ram. More than 8 is optimal considering you will be compiling lots of programs. You also want a laptop that you can remove the video driver(graphics driver, video graphics driver, etc...) so that if you get into drafting, you'll be able to make drafts without your computer getting all wonky. You can do whatever processor you want(of course anything i5 and up will be in any newer laptop). Depending on if you want to use your laptop for gaming, speakers, screen res, etc all is bonus attributes. I have a Lenovo ideapad Y that has all these things which i love. It is about 1000 dollars though. But i do suggest getting a laptop with those specs. If you take care of it, and don't drop it like a tard, it should last you well through college.

Btw... anything with these specs will be a heavy laptop... getting a backpack specific for carrying laptops would be a good idea.

Re: Laptop Recommendations

BuzzerBee wrote:

@Jaba, the XPS 13 has some great specs (with upgrades) and only weighs about 2.6 pounds. Right now it's at the top of my list.

Make sure to get an i5 processor. The i3, no matter the generation, won't last 4 years. Also be careful with warranties and customer support with Dell. They don't have the best track record with customer support lol.

Re: Laptop Recommendations

Jabatheblob1 wrote:

BuzzerBee wrote:

@Jaba, the XPS 13 has some great specs (with upgrades) and only weighs about 2.6 pounds. Right now it's at the top of my list.

Make sure to get an i5 processor. The i3, no matter the generation, won't last 4 years. Also be careful with warranties and customer support with Dell. They don't have the best track record with customer support lol.

I have an i3 machine and it lasted 6 years already. It's still working.

Re: Laptop Recommendations

Jabatheblob1 wrote:

BuzzerBee wrote:

@Jaba, the XPS 13 has some great specs (with upgrades) and only weighs about 2.6 pounds. Right now it's at the top of my list.

Make sure to get an i5 processor. The i3, no matter the generation, won't last 4 years. Also be careful with warranties and customer support with Dell. They don't have the best track record with customer support lol.

I've heard people defend an i7 to the death, but an i5 is just as good.

Re: Laptop Recommendations

Re: Laptop Recommendations

BuzzerBee wrote:

I've thought about getting a touch laptop but it seems unnecessary. Any advice on touch vs. non-touch?

Touch is a gimmick.Granted, I've got Linux on my SP3, so touch isn't exactly as functional as it is on Windows, but I never find myself using it. Not for school purposes especially, the only time it would really come in handy is when I'm watching Hulu or something and want to use it as a tablet (i.e. without the keyboard in the way, making my computer require more space on my chest/lap).

Re: Laptop Recommendations

JadElClemens wrote:

BuzzerBee wrote:

I've thought about getting a touch laptop but it seems unnecessary. Any advice on touch vs. non-touch?

Touch is a gimmick.Granted, I've got Linux on my SP3, so touch isn't exactly as functional as it is on Windows, but I never find myself using it. Not for school purposes especially, the only time it would really come in handy is when I'm watching Hulu or something and want to use it as a tablet (i.e. without the keyboard in the way, making my computer require more space on my chest/lap).

I suppose the touchscreen could come in handy if you are into drawing.

Re: Laptop Recommendations

N1KF wrote:

[...]I suppose the touchscreen could come in handy if you are into drawing.

Right, and taking handwritten notes if you're into that. I found that, for me, it was pretty useless, but it obviously depends on your preference.I'd definitely suggest getting a cheaper x86 tablet that you can test for drawing and other touch features before you spend money on an expensive laptop with a feature that you don't need (and that might be an annoyance).

Re: Laptop Recommendations

BuzzerBee wrote:

I'm not really looking for a gaming laptop. Since it's for college I'd prefer a business/developing laptop

At this point, you want a gaming laptop. They're the best option if you want a laptop with good specs and a decent price. Most of the laptops for "productivity" will end up costing you more than an equivalent gaymin laptop since the productivity laptop will try to do things like lower the weight and extend the battery life with lower power hardware. Most gaymin laptops will give you 4-6 hours on one charge anyway though (provided you aren't playing games), which is plenty in a college setting.